Western citrus leaders anxious to learn from Texas HLB
MaryLou Polek of the California Citrus Research Board concurs with other Western citrus leaders: It is a matter of when ? not if ? citrus greening disease is found in California and Arizona. <div class="field-image-promo"> <a href="/orchard-crops/western-citrus-leaders-anxious-learn-texas-hlb" class="imagecache imagecache-med_crop imagecache-linked imagecache-med_crop_linked"><img src="http://westernfarmpress.com/site-files/westernfarmpress.com/files/imagecache/med_crop/uploads/2012/02/citrus-psyllid-check.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-med_crop" width="355" height="200" /></a> </div> <div class="og_rss_groups"></div><p><a href="http://westernfarmpress.com/orchard-crops/western-citrus-leaders-anxious-learn-texas-hlb" target="_blank">read more</a></p>
Asian citrus psyllid - Huanglongbing disease photos
<div class="field-image-promo"> <a href="/orchard-crops/asian-citrus-psyllid-huanglongbing-disease-photos" class="imagecache imagecache-med_crop imagecache-linked imagecache-med_crop_linked"><img src="http://westernfarmpress.com/site-files/westernfarmpress.com/files/imagecache/med_crop/gallery_promo_image/CITRUS PROCESSING.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-med_crop" width="355" height="200" /></a> </div> <div class="og_rss_groups"></div>
Arizona Agri-Weekly: barley seeding in final stage
Ariozna alfalfa conditions remain mostly fair to good. Harvest continues in a few areas across the state. <div class="og_rss_groups"></div><p><a href="http://westernfarmpress.com/vegetables/arizona-agri-weekly-barley-seeding-final-stage" target="_blank">read more</a></p>
EPA questioned over CAFO rules
<div class="field-byline"> National Cattlemen&#039;s Beef Association </div> The center of CAFO concern stems from what was referred to as a serious overreach of EPA's authority. NCBA Deputy Environmental Counsel Ashley Lyon said the proposed rule could put the nation's food system at risk of increased terrorist attacks. <div class="og_rss_groups"></div><p><a href="http://westernfarmpress.com/government/epa-questioned-over-cafo-rules" target="_blank">read more</a></p>
California Crop Weather: more rain needed in dryland grain
Dryland grain growth and development improved from recent rains. However, crops were irrigated since more precipitation was needed to sustain growth. <div class="field-image-promo"> <a href="/tree-nuts/california-crop-weather-more-rain-needed-dryland-grain" class="imagecache imagecache-med_crop imagecache-linked imagecache-med_crop_linked"><img src="http://westernfarmpress.com/site-files/westernfarmpress.com/files/imagecache/med_crop/uploads/2012/02/barley.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-med_crop" width="355" height="200" /></a> </div> <div class="og_rss_groups"></div><p><a href="http://westernfarmpress.com/tree-nuts/california-crop-weather-more-rain-needed-dryland-grain" target="_blank">read more</a></p>
Developing nations leap ahead in GMO race
Biotech crops were planted by 16.7 million farmers in 29 countries, up from 15.4 million farmers in the same number of countries in 2010. The global value of biotech seed alone was $13.2 billion in 2011, with the end product of commercial grain from biotech maize, soybean grain and cotton valued at $160 billion or more per year. <div class="og_rss_groups"></div><p><a href="http://westernfarmpress.com/government/developing-nations-leap-ahead-gmo-race" target="_blank">read more</a></p>
US organic trade regulations eased with Canada
U.S. organic dairy, beef, sheep, goat, and bison producers exporting products to Canada will benefit from more streamlined trade. <div class="og_rss_groups"></div><p><a href="http://westernfarmpress.com/government/us-organic-trade-regulations-eased-canada" target="_blank">read more</a></p>
Beef and Livestock Pavilion brings competition to World Ag Expo
At World Ag Expo 2012, Pavilion D, which is home to beef and livestock exhibitors, seminars, live cattle demonstrations and new for this year, a ranching and livestock competition, is the place to be to see the latest advances in the beef and livestock industries. <div class="og_rss_groups"></div><p><a href="http://westernfarmpress.com/management/beef-and-livestock-pavilion-brings-competition-world-ag-expo" target="_blank">read more</a></p>
Potential builds for Trans-Pacific Partnership
A multi-lateral trade deal among nine Pacific Rim nations including the US has drawn significant attention around the globe. Rod Bain looks at why the Trans-Pacific Partnership could be the next big deal in this edition of "Agriculture USA". <div class="field-audio-file"> <span>Audio File:&nbsp;</span> <div class="filefield-file"><img class="filefield-icon field-icon-audio-mpeg" alt="audio/mpeg icon" src="http://westernfarmpress.com/sites/all/modules/contrib/filefield/icons/audio-x-generic.png" /><a href="http://westernfarmpress.com/site-files/westernfarmpress.com/files/podcast/audio/tpp potential.mp3" type="audio/mpeg; length=4804086">tpp potential.mp3</a></div> </div> <div class="og_rss_groups"></div><p><a href="http://westernfarmpress.com/government/potential-builds-trans-pacific-partnership" target="_blank">read more</a></p>


the tax-saving pundits say, it is not a very good idea to make payments to relatives and show them as business expenses. The tax auditors scrutinize such expenses under a microscope. If you do not have justifiable cause to make the payment to your relative, do not do it.

But, all the expenses that are made directly for conducting the business are claimable. These include the expenses incurred on the transport or on the vehicles themselves in running the business. There are two ways to claim vehicle tax deduction. The first is the standard mileage method I which the sum is deducted by per mile formula which is devised by the IRS itself. The second method is the actual expense method in which the actual costs incurred in operating the vehicle are deducted. Depreciation charges and gas and maintenance bills can be shown here.

If you need to entertain clients on a regular basis, then it can be shown for deductions. About half of the entire expenses incurred in entertaining clients could be claimed. This could include expenses like throwing parties for your clients, taking them to restaurants, concerts, movies or even for inviting them over. Needless to say, there should be some proof that the meeting was for business purposes and not plainly for pleasure. Each bill needs to be shown, and the purpose of the meeting written on each of them.

It is a good business habit to file and keep records of all expenses incurred during the course of the year. These could be claimed as deductions when the assessment time comes. Your everyday expenses to keep the business going like rent, stationery, maintenance and electricity bills could be shown in such expenses.

Make a habit of filing your expenses in different folders so that they are easily accessible at the end of the year. Also keep these records after the tax is paid, because they could be needed for verification at any point of time.

Having trouble finding the right information? Well take a look at Adam Heist's website. Take a quick look at Loans Company right now, and we are quite certian that you will not be let down.

Here are some more accountant articles...